Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-27931 on 14 June 2024. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Ensuring universities are on a sustainable trajectory is at the heart of our considerations to reform the post-school system, so that the significant investment we are making delivers the best outcomes for learners, the economy and society.

I met with officials from PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Universities Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council on 29 May 2024. At this meeting, PwC outlined the key findings from Scotland-specific modelling that Universities Scotland had commissioned them to undertake to assess the financial outlook for universities.

On the basis of this analysis, the potential risk of a sustained decline in numbers of international students leading to future financial challenges for some universities, was discussed.

As autonomous institutions, universities have the key role in mitigating financial pressures and external risks. On this basis, it was further discussed at the meeting that universities would consider a range of actions to mitigate the risks around declining international student recruitment, and that Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council would continue to engage with the university sector on financial sustainability risks and developing their own mitigation strategies.

The UK Government abolished EMA in 2011 and therefore there have been no discussions with them regarding EMA in recent years.

In January 2024, EMA officials met with the Welsh Government to provide an overview of the current EMA programme in Scotland. The purpose of this meeting was to support the review of EMA being conducted by the Welsh Government which is due to publish later this year.

Further to our previous response Ministers and officials will engage with a range of stakeholders ahead of Stage 2.

Education Maintenance Allowance already contributes to the raising attainment agenda. It seeks to remove financial inequality and give every young person the same opportunity to remain and progress in learning, no matter their financial circumstances.

EMA is one form of key support we have in place for children and young people in education. Additional support measures include Free School Meals, the school clothing grant and free bus travel for those under the age of 22. These measures also contribute to our wider ambition of raising attainment.

Research on the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) programme was carried out in 2007. The aim of the research was to gather evidence of young people's awareness and experience of EMA, to assess the impact on young people's choices and pathways, and to assess if EMA helped to prevent young people from becoming 'Not in Education Employment and Training' (NEET).

The final report and associated research findings can be found here:

https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20170831082324/http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2007/07/30113243/0

https://webarchive.nrscotland.gov.uk/20170831082335/http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2007/07/30113318/0

Non-consolidated performance payments for chief executives continue to be suspended. There is a presumption against provision for non-consolidated performance payments in all new Chief Executive contracts or following a review. There are 71 public bodies covered by the Public Sector Pay Policy, and of these there are a small number of public bodies with specific exemptions agreed by Ministers. These are Scottish Water and the Scottish National Investment Bank. All aspects of chief executive pay are detailed within the annual accounts of each public body.

The internal review is focused on the procedures and policies set out in the Chief Executive Framework section of the Public Sector Pay Policy Technical Guide for public bodies and government officials. The report is being finalised and Ministers have still to consider the recommendations, including any publication arrangements. Any agreed recommendations will be included in a renewed Chief Executive Framework.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Mixed Tenure Improvement Scheme (MTIS) is operated under the Area Based Schemes which are designed, managed and delivered solely by Scottish local authorities or their managing agents. Hence any complaints about the MTIS should be directed to the council for resolution. The City of Edinburgh Council has a dispute resolution process for dealing with complaints which was used in the council’s first MTIS project undertaken in Westerhailes.

As set out in my previous reply to S6W-27492 we have now reached a point where there is a need for a transition to a public charging network that will be largely financed and delivered through the private sector. The £30 million EV infrastructure fund will support local authorities across Scotland attract private investment to install public charging infrastructure in locations best suited to serve the local community’s needs. Residents and organisations should contact their own Local Authorities to discuss potential charging infrastructure opportunities in their own local area.

These are unprecedented times with significant pressure on financial resources and difficult decisions had to be taken when setting the 2024-25 Scottish Budget. Given these constraints, our consumer-focussed incentives are evolving to support individuals who live in rural and island communities, residents in flats and factored developments that do not have access to dedicated off street parking, and community transport organisations. This financial support will enable recipients to purchase and install charge points for private use, complementing Scotland’s public EV charging network. Those who wish to register their interest should contact Energy Saving Trust for further details.